* Omission of words: This is the most common use. The ellipsis signifies that something has been left out, typically to shorten a quote or avoid unnecessary detail.
* Example: "The cat sat on the mat... and then it jumped off." (The ellipsis indicates that something happened between the cat sitting and jumping, but it's not important to the story)
* Trailing off thought: An ellipsis can show that a thought is incomplete or unfinished.
* Example: "I wonder if..." (The speaker is left wondering)
* Pause or hesitation: In dialogue, an ellipsis can indicate a pause for thought, a moment of uncertainty, or a change of subject.
* Example: "Well... I guess I could try that."
It's important to note that an ellipsis should not be used to replace a full stop (period). It's also important to use them sparingly to avoid overuse and confusion.